EU welcomes the work of Kimberley Process

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton welcomes the positive progress that the Kimberley Process has made this year to strengthen controls on the global trade in rough diamonds.
“The EU believes that the Kimberley Process certification scheme (KPCS) remains a unique tool for conflict prevention and plays an important role in supporting Participants to ensure good governance and transparency,” Ashton said.
On her words, the decision to lift the special monitoring measures under the Kinshasa Administrative Decision with respect to the Marange mining area in Zimbabwe is a positive step forward. This recognises the significant progress that Zimbabwe has made to improve KP compliance.
Ashton welcomed the progress that has been made by Guinea to improve KP compliance, as well as Liberia’s commitment to address current shortcomings. The EU notes with appreciation Cote d’Ivoire’s programme to work towards re-integration into the KPCS, High Representative stressed.
She warmly welcomed the ongoing work to improve implementation of KPCS and congratulates South Africa on its appointment as Chair of the Kimberley Process for 2013.
The Kimberley Process (KP) is a voluntary and international certification scheme which requires governments to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are conflict-free. The KP, established in 2003, currently has 51 members representing 76 countries (the European Commission represents all EU Member States).
The EU Chairs the KP Working Group on Monitoring and in that role oversees issues of KP Participants’ compliance.

Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished